New Controlled Zone In Swinley - Need to re think

Swinley has been a controlled zone for some time now. The Council says that this was because residents could not park in the own area as people would park there and walk into the town or to the Hospital. So the Council acted and came up with the controlled zones.

Now they are re doing the controlled zones and breaking them up into smaller areas but this creates so much problems for local residents. Like the parents not being allowed to take their children to the local school, Woodfield etc.

What the Council should be doing is working with the local residents listen to their concerns and then devise a plan that can be beneficial for them. That way the new system would work for the community and people that it is meant to work for plus the Council represents the residents.

Prediction come true.

On the 10th I predicted that Cllr Michael Winstanley would be the next Mayor. That was voted on yesterday. I also said that he would choose Cllr Judith Atherton to be his Mayoress. In my opinion knowing what story will be coming out about her late in this year this will undoubtedly bring the office of the Mayor into disrupt. The Mayor knows about the story and has done nothing about it so he will be implicated too. It will be interesting to see if he survives that scandal or brings the office into disrupt.

In my opinion I think he would have been wiser to choose Cllr Jean Peet for his deputy, I think she would have brought some fine qualities to the role and enhanced his Mayoral year.

Time will tell if he has chosen wisely.

Interesting results

I have read with interest the other day when Labour lost the General Election, they did this by losing 100 seats aprox but gaining 4 times that in local Council seats. You would not think that would be the same results of two elections held on the same day.

I guess if you analysed that, places like Wigan would be a good reason why that is. Whilst over the years Labour Voters have been dismayed at the Labour Government they simply did not come out before and vote but as soon as they know the Labour Government is going to go out they come out to try and save them and vote at the General elections in places like Wigan hoping that a massive turnout would save them.

My theory is simply a view at this point but I don't think to far away from what happened. It will be interesting what happens at next year local elections to see if the above trend was a one off because of the General Election or is a new trend.

New Government

This new alliance between the Tories and Lib Dems is starting how people can work together for the better of the population. Surely that can't be a bad thing and with the chemistry that Clegg and Cameron have seems to say that it has got off to a good start.



I hope that this continues and we do get the MP's working for the good of the Country rather than themselves. I know people are wrighting them off already but surely being negative is only going to have a negative effect for the country. I for one hope that we get positive results out of what has happened nationally.

What should happen to Cllrs who claimed mileage allowance and don't drive.

It was reported some time ago now some local Councillors had been claiming mileage allowance when they do not drive and do not have a car. But yet they seem to get away with this. Surely this is fraud. I repotred the matter to the police who said that it is up to the Council to report the matter to the police. Why this is I am not sure.

I hope these cases have been referred to the Standards Board for England to be investigated.

New phone number for party.

Whilst might be down and out I am not, for some reason. If any one wants to get hold of me you can leave a message on the blog or email me at garethfairhurst@gmail.com or we now have an office number for any of our councillors or candidates. This 0845 900 2882.

prediction

I hear that mike winstaney is to be the new mayor for Wigan. I also hear the judith atherton is to be his mayoress. I hear that mike is worried about his seat next year and seems to think this will help his chances. I wonder if they will be any scandal.

Out but not down.

At last Thursday election I was not successful in getting re elected. It is clear from the results across the borough that people that only come out at General Elections came out and voted locally as they did nationally. This was always the plan, I guess from the PM, when he called the election on the same day as the local.

I will be still active in the Ward and I will be standing again at the next local election for Wigan Central.

What is encouraging is the people that have come forward to help out next time and new candidates that want to get involved.

A big thanks to all the candidates, helpers with leaflets and all the people that voted for me. Thank you.

One big final push.

Any candidate from any party that has done a big hard fighting campaign will be feeling tired today, I guess. I know I am. With the final leaflets going out as I write I will be going shortly to join them and then once that has concluded it will go into the final push with some secret weapons coming out.

There are so many variables in this years local election and general elections anything can go and it will be a fight to the end.

Thank you for all the help and support from all the helpers delivering leaflets, fund raising and just supporting for us in other ways.

Good luck to all our Candidates and espically sitting Cllr Angela Bland who has had a fantastic campaign and response.

Full List of all Wigan Independent candidates

Cllr Gareth Fairhurst - Wigan Central
Cllr Angela Bland - Shevington with Lower Ground
Neil Dunlop - Standish with Langtree
Andrew Lomax - Wigan West
Paula Thompson - Qrrell
Ian Bland - Aspull New Springs and Whelley
Elaine Brown - Leigh South.